Whether you’re hosting friends or sitting around the table with family, this Chicken Gnocchi Soup Recipe is the perfect dish to spark connection and conversation. Creamy, hearty, and packed with flavor, it’s a recipe that embodies the heart of hospitality, welcoming others with open arms and a warm meal.
In today’s busy world, offering such care might feel like a challenge. But with this easy slow-cooker recipe, you can focus on the joy of gathering while letting your slow cooker work its magic.
Why You’ll Want to Make This Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This soup is more than just a meal; it’s warming comfort in a bowl!
- Flavor-packed goodness: Every bite is infused with herbs, creamy richness, and the satisfying chew of gnocchi.
- Effortless hosting: The slow cooker does most of the work, leaving you free to prep for guests or relax with family.
- Budget-friendly tip: Keep an eye out for chicken breast sales and stock your freezer with 2-pound portions.
- Veggie indulgence: Spinach and fresh vegetables provide nutrition without compromising on the creamy texture.
Serve this soup with 10-Minute Apple Slaw or Maple Glazed Arugula Salad With Toasted Pecans for a complete meal your guests will rave about.
Before You Get Started
Here are some quick and easy tips to ensure your dish turns out perfectly every time.
Time-saving tip: Chop your vegetables the night before to streamline your morning prep.
Prep Tips: Trim any excess fat off of the chicken breasts. Use a vegetable chopper for quick and easy veggie prep.
Make-ahead option: The chicken base can be cooked and refrigerated a day in advance. Reheat, then add the gnocchi, cream mixture, and spinach before serving.
Dietary variations: Substitute heavy cream and cottage cheese with unsweetened coconut milk for a dairy-free option.
Ingredients You Will Need For Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and exact measurements, be sure to check the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Chicken Base
- Chicken breasts: Opt for boneless, skinless for easy shredding after cooking.
- Celery, carrots, and onion: Chop small for even cooking and a smooth texture in every spoonful.
- Garlic: Use fresh, minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Herbs and spices: Parsley, oregano, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper bring warmth and depth to the broth.
- Chicken broth: Choose a low-sodium variety to control the saltiness of the final dish.
Creamy Broth and Gnocchi
After the Base is Cooked
- Gnocchi: Use small gnocchi for a balanced texture.
- Heavy cream and cottage cheese: Blended together, they create a silky cream base without being too heavy.
- Spinach: Roughly chop fresh spinach for vibrant color and nutrition.
Variations and Substitutions
- Spicy Twist: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a touch of heat.
- Get More Veggies In: Add diced butternut squash or chopped kale for a hearty variation.
Absolutely. Choose already chopped frozen spinach. Be sure to thaw and drain frozen spinach before adding it to the soup.
How To Make Crock Pot Chicken Gnocchi Soup
This recipe is super for quick make-ahead meals. Here is a quick step-by-step guide.
Prepare the Chicken Base
Place chicken breasts, vegetables, garlic, and seasonings in the slow cooker.
Cooking the Base
Pour in the chicken broth and stir gently. Cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 3–4 hours until the chicken is tender and the vegetables are soft.
Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker or on a cutting board. Return it to the pot.
Add Gnocchi
Add the gnocchi, cover, and cook on high for 30 minutes, or until the gnocchi are tender.
Add the Cream Mixture
Blend heavy cream and cottage cheese until smooth, then stir into the soup. Add the spinach, cover, and cook for another 10–15 minutes, until the spinach is wilted.
Serve
Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
Hosting and Serving Suggestions
Serve the soup in a large rustic bowl for guests to help themselves. This soup is home-cooked comfort food! Your guests will feel like family.
Set out toppings in small bowls for guests to serve themselves: Topping items could include grated parmesan, freshly chopped parsley or basil, cracked black, crispy bacon crumbles, fried onion pieces, a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, or dollops of sour cream.
Biblical Hospitality Reflection
Soup can help create community. Meals often bring people together, and Jesus Himself frequently shared meals with others. In Acts 2:46, we see the early church gathering daily to “break bread in their homes and eat together with glad and sincere hearts.” A meal like this soup, which is easy to make in large quantities, can be a perfect way to bring friends, family, or even strangers into closer fellowship.
Storage and Reheating Leftovers
Storage: Refrigerate leftover soup in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Warm the soup gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain the creamy texture.
Do you have a question about the recipe? Feel free to ask in the comments below. I’m here to help!
⚖️ Need a big batch to feed a crowd? You can easily change the number of servings in the recipe card below by tapping 2x or 3x. The ingredient measurements will automatically double or triple. You can then tap print and there you have it, a recipe for a crowd.
Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup (Crock Pot Recipe)
Note: Be sure to read through the recipe’s post for tips and details about this recipe.
Ingredients
Chicken Base
- 2 pounds chicken , bonless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped small
- 1/2 cup carrot, peeled and chopped small
- 1/3 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 32 ounces chicken broth
Ingredients To Add After Chicken Base Is Cooked
- 2 cups gnocchi, small
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup cottage cheese
- 1 1/2 cups spinach, fresh, raw, roughly chopped
Topping
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated for garnish
Instructions
Prepare The Chicken Base
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the celery, carrots, onion, garlic, and all seasonings, including the bay leaf.2 pounds chicken, 1/2 cup celery, 1/2 cup carrot, 1/3 cup onion, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, 1 teaspoon garlic, 1 bay leaf, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Pour the chicken broth over the ingredients and gently stir to combine.32 ounces chicken broth
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is fork tender and can be easily shredded.
Shred the Chicken and Add Gnocchi
- Use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Alternatively, transfer the chicken to a cutting board to chop, then return it to the pot.
- Stir in the gnocchi, cover, and cook on high for 30 minutes until the gnocchi are tender.2 cups gnocchi
Add the Cream Mixture
- In a small blender, blend the cottage cheese and heavy cream until smooth.1 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup cottage cheese
- Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker and stir well. Add the chopped spinach.1 1/2 cups spinach
- Place the lid back on and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted and the soup is creamy.
Serve
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Notes
- Time-saving tip: Chop your vegetables the night before to streamline your morning prep.
- Make-ahead option: The chicken base can be cooked and refrigerated a day in advance. Reheat, then add the gnocchi, cream mixture, and spinach before serving.
- Dietary variations: Substitute heavy cream with unsweetened coconut milk for a dairy-free option.